Our Mission & Identity

About Kolbe Cathedral

A Catholic, co-educational college-preparatory school of the Diocese of Bridgeport — forming scholars and saints since 1976.

Our Catholic Mission

Intellectual competence, deep faith, strong character.

Kolbe Cathedral is a Catholic, co-educational, four-year college-preparatory school of the Diocese of Bridgeport. We form young people of intellectual competence, deep faith, and strength of character.

Our graduates care for others in the spirit of Christ and dare to make a difference by living the Gospel message — scholars and saints prepared for college, career, and a life of purpose.

What We Form

Four marks of a Kolbe graduate.

Faith Formation is paired with academic, social, emotional, and physical formation — every dimension of the person, every year.

Intellectual Competence

A rigorous, four-year college-preparatory education that readies every graduate for college, career, and a life of purpose.

Deep Faith

Religion every year and a Catholic identity that shapes how we teach, treat one another, and live the Gospel message.

Strength of Character

Formation of the whole person — the courage that dares to make a difference in the spirit of Christ.

Service to Others

Sharing knowledge, skills, and talents for the good of others, caring for the dignity of every person.

Our Story

A union of two proud traditions.

Opened 1963

Kolbe Boys’ High School

Staffed by the Franciscans — the order of our patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Opened 1964

Cathedral Girls’ High School

Staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, in the heart of Bridgeport.

In 1976, under Bishop Walter Curtis, the two schools merged to become Kolbe Cathedral. More than four decades later, we continue both traditions as a diverse, value-centered college prep.

1963
Kolbe Boys’ High School opens
Staffed by the Franciscans — the order of our patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe.
1964
Cathedral Girls’ High School opens
Staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, in the heart of Bridgeport.
1976
The two merge into Kolbe Cathedral
Under Bishop Walter Curtis, the schools unite as one co-educational school — carrying both traditions forward.
Today
A diverse, value-centered college prep
Fully accredited by NEASC and the Connecticut Department of Education, forming scholars and saints.

The cathedral sanctuary — the spiritual home of Kolbe Cathedral in Bridgeport

Our Patron

St. Maximilian Kolbe

The Polish Franciscan friar who, imprisoned at Auschwitz, voluntarily took the place of a stranger condemned to die — and was canonized a martyr of charity. His witness anchors who we are.

“Greater Love Has No One.”
John 15:13

Forming Scholars. Forming Saints.

Our Campus

One community, in the heart of Bridgeport.

A close campus where every student is known by name — from the classrooms to the Gerstner Center for Students and Families.

The Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School building

Kolbe students working together in class

By the Numbers

Fast facts.

1976

Founded

9–12

Grades served

~325

Students

15:1

Student-faculty ratio

100%

Graduation rate

100%

College acceptance

13 yrs

Average faculty tenure

NEASC

Accredited (& CT Dept. of Ed.)

A multicultural community

A reflection of Bridgeport, and a conviction that this diversity is a strength. Established by the Diocese of Bridgeport, admission is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds — at 33 Calhoun Place, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

≈45%

Black

43%

Hispanic

12%

Asian / White

Kolbe Cathedral students gathered as a community

Leadership & Faculty

Educators devoted to the mission.

Principal Camille Figliuzzi leads a faculty of religious and lay educators dedicated to the formation of every student — intellectually, spiritually, and personally.

With an average of 13 years of tenure at Kolbe, our teachers bring an institutional memory and personal investment that no brochure can replicate. Here, every student is known by name.

Meet our faculty & leadership

Camille Figliuzzi, Principal of Kolbe Cathedral — Camille Figliuzzi, Principal

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